BIG EAST CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 11, 2021

Sandro Mamukelashvili

Seton Hall Pirates

Madison Square Garden

Postgame Media Conference

Seton Hall 77, St. John's 69

THE MODERATOR: We're with Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Q. You played like a guy brimming with confidence from the start. How much did getting that Big East Player of the Year award give you a little momentum, a little extra juice to take it out there today?

SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI: It definitely boosted my momentum and my confidence. But at the same time we know how important this game was for us. And I feel like that was the main focus, was just come out and play as a team and get the W and go home and get ready for Georgetown.

I love off-the-court honors and everything, but at the same time when I step on the court everything else goes away and it's all about me and my team.

Q. After the tournament and everything got canceled last year, how much fun was it to be in the Garden and playing in this tournament today?

SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI: It's the best place to play at. I love playing out here. And especially with these guys. So it was an unbelievable feeling just coming on the court for the first time and just realizing we're back and the Big East Tournament is happening. So I feel like that boosted our confidence a lot more that we were here right now and we're playing in the best stadium in the world. So definitely was amazing.

Q. What did you think of Jared's performance? He said he's a New York City guy. Wanted to show out in New York. What did you think of his game today and what happened to your eye? Looks like you got a shiner there?

SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI: I love Jared. How hard he plays is off the charts. And today I really saw that Jared who is a dog. And before we -- before the game we talked and were telling each other how to play and just to stay active. I feel he did an incredible job. He had 16 boards today, I think. And definitely player of the match. So I feel like it's just the beginning.

Q. What happened to your eye?

SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI: Nothing. We was in practice and I was trying to rebound the ball and somebody probably got me.

Q. What to you is different about you guys today than maybe the last three weeks? It seemed like your guys' effort and focus and intensity was improved. What did you see? What did you feel like you guys were different, what was different about you guys today?

SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI: This is March. In March, you just gotta -- like your mindset will be everybody is 0-0 and go out there play your hardest. Doesn't matter what happened before. And it's like starting with a clean slate we came out here and our only mission was to win today and move to the second round. That's what we did. I feel that was the biggest change. Everybody came together and said it doesn't matter what happened before; let's take it game by game and just get a W. I feel our mentality was different. We were just prepared and ready to go out and win it.

Q. Are you driven at all by the disappointment of last year and does that drive you and your teammates to want to have a great tournament?

SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI: Definitely. Last year we were top seed. Got a chance to come out here and do great things. And this year we were just so motivated to be back, as I said, at MSG and we were playing so hard today. Definitely is a motivation to be here and since last year we just feel blessed.